WME recently announced the promotion of Spencer Foote, who joins the Fair and Festival team as a Booking Agent.

Foote began his career at WME in 2013, working in the office of Jay Williams. Over the course of his career he has assisted in the booking of clubs and colleges in the Southeast and arenas and amphitheaters in the Upper Midwest. Most recently, the Nashville native assisted in securing national fair and festival opportunities for clients across the WME roster.

A BARREL OF BIZ-NESS

5/7/19

Fresh off her iHeartCoutryFestival performance in Austin on 5/4, MercuryNashville's LaurenAlaina sashayed to the MusicBiz2019Conference at the JWMarriott in Nashville.

The season 10 American Idol star is seen chatting in the CrackerBarrel Rocking Chair with Music Biz pres JimDonio. A truck soon arrived with Jim's daily allotment of Chicken n' Dumplins.

photo credit: Nick Maiale

HIGH VALLEY'S GOLDEN NIGHT AT THE OPRY

5/6/19

Over the weekend on the legendary Grand Ole Opry stage, HighValley was surprised by WarnerMusicNashville execs BenKline and Cris Lacy with plaques celebrating the RIAA Gold certification of "Make You Mine." Following the Gold track—which has earned more than 50m on-demand streams—the duo's "Single Man" hit country radio last week as one of the most-added songs.

AmazonMusic and WomenInMusic co-hosted a special event held at this week's MusicBizConference. WomenWhoRock took place at the Dream in Nashville and welcomed songstress CarlyPearce (BMLG) to take the stage just after kicking off her opening run on JasonAldean’s RideAllNighttour on Friday and Saturday.

“All I’ve ever wanted is to be a Country entertainer and because of women like Dolly, Trisha, Reba, Faith, I was inspired to find my voice,” shared Pearce. “Thank you to Amazon Music and Women In Music for creating this event and supporting my dreams so I can be a light to others!”

Pearson will appear on NBC’s TODAY to perform her latest single “Closer To You” tomorrow (5/7) and announce the 2019 CMTMusicAwards nominations. Just last year, she took home Breakthrough Video of the Year for her debut “Every Little Thing.” The CMTs will air live from Music City’s BridgestoneArena on Wednesday, 6/5 at 8:00P ET/7:00P CT.

Pictured below are Amazon Music Senior Music Curator EmilyCohen (l) and Pearce (r) shortly after adding a case of energy drinks, a bottle of fabric softener and a guitar pick to their cart.

BECKHAM AND SIMMONS INTRODUCE THE AMG

5/6/19

Following news of the dissolution of Fitzgerald Hartley, former partner and co-head of WME Nashville Rob Beckham (pictured here)and Fitzgerald Hartley partner Bill Simmons have announced the formation of artist management group The AMG.

At press time, we know the pair will continue to manage Simmons’ long-time management clients Brad Paisley and Chris Young. More details should be revealed shortly. Stay tuned.

FITZGERALD & HARTLEY'S NEXT CHAPTER

5/6/19

After 42 years in the business, Nashville management firm Fitzgerald Hartley will close before the end of the year. The company, which reps Brad Paisley, Chris Young, Vince Gill, Randy Houser, Kellie Pickler, Tracy Lawrence, Chase Bryant, Morgan Evans, Eric Paslay, Olivia Newton-John and Robert Cray Band, was co-founded by Larry Fitzgerald and Mark Hartley and currently has offices in Music City, as well as Ventura, CA.

Going forward, Fitzgerald plans to focus solely on Gill—his client of 35 years. Hartley will continue to work in artist management, and in the development of film and TV projects.

“Mark and I forged a collaboration that has been successful, both personally and professionally, beyond our wildest dreams,” said Fitzgerald. “Now I want to concentrate my efforts toward Vince. Though his accomplishments thus far have been enormous, I believe our partnership has been a cornerstone of my career, and I know we have many mountains yet to climb.”

“It has been a great ride and does not seem like a 42-year run,” shared Hartley. “We have been blessed to be able to collaborate with such amazingly talented artists and partners.”

Fitzgerald also added, “Although closing the doors on FITZHART after 42 years is difficult, looking back on all the incredible artists’ careers that Mark and I have been a part of has been an absolute privilege. Who knew that closing down a business is almost as difficult as creating one?”

DOLLY & IMG TAKE ON THE WORLD

5/2/19

Country legend and eight-time Grammy winner Dolly Parton has teamed up with IMG, which becomes her first exclusive global licensing representative. Parton is already a North American client of WME—an IMG partner company, with whom she signed a deal back in 2018.

“Dolly Parton is an international icon and we are thrilled to be working with her," shared IMG VP of Licensing Gary Krakower. "Together, we look forward to building cohesive lifestyle brand products that will celebrate Dolly and bring her iconic style and personality to her millions of fans worldwide in engaging new ways.”

During the multi-year partnership, Dolly and IMG will work to create a lifestyle brand that provides engaging new touchpoints for her fans around the world. Expect everything from fashion and jewellery to homeware and accessories. This is particularly great news for HITS President Todd Hensley, who looks fabulous in rhinestones.

The always-busy Dolly also has a Netflix film series slated for fall 2019; the song-centric project, called Heartstrings, will be released through her Sandollar Productions in association with Sam Haskell's Magnolia Hill Productions.